The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-06-09
THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH
IT WILL SOON BE HEARD ON THE
LABOR QUESTION.

A Council to BE Held this Summer to Pro-
raulgate It-what will Be Expected of
Catholic wOrkingmsn-Knights Of Labor
in PolitIcs--Other Labor Affairs.
NEW YORK, June s.-Cardinal Gibbons re-
fuses to say anything Of his intended action
on the labor question. Before giving his
views to the public, he will call a council Of
the eleven archbishops of the American hie-
archy, and the decisive steps will be taken
which will leave no doubt of the church's
attitude. From a close companion of the
cardinal, reporter received some intima-
zion regarding the probable character Of the
Forthcoming pronunciamento.
The right of laboring men to combine for
their common benefit will be conceded, and
all such lawful combinations will receive the
blessings Of the church But Catholics will
be forbidden to take part in boycotts or
other infringements Of the rights Of citizens,
and they will be forbidden to join any or
ganization which practices intimidation,
whether of a violent or other character. No
Catholic will be permitted to become MEM
ber of any order which binds its members to
Va
leaders Secret passwords may be permit
ted, but a Catholic must have no secret
which cannot be rescued by the confessional
If necessary. 1t will also be proposed that
closer relation be brought about between
Catholic members of labor organizations
and the Catholic clergy.
The object of this is to prevent Catholic
laboring men from drifting off from the
81, Of thair occOaia tinn with
Protestants, and to keep them from adopting
theories which are antagonistic to the
church's dogmas The necessity Of this
course has been demonstrated of late by the
number of Catholics who have innocently
perhaps, taken up ideas which the church
frowns upon, and will probably condemn
outright in the near future 1t will not be
proposed, however, to make the clergy med
dlers in labor affairs. They will be merely
instructed to be vigilant, invite confidence
and counsel members of their flock who be-
long to trades unions.
From the source mentioned above it was
also learned that Cardinal Gibbons position
in the McGlynn case is simply this: He
likes DR.. McGlynn personally and does not
condemn him for advocating general prop
erty in land, for that doctrine has not yet
peen Piohouhceu heLouAooA W one PoPo
speaking ex-cathedra; but he does blame DR..
McGlynn for rebellion against his ecclesias-
tical superior and dabbling in politics to an
extent unbecoming his priestly character
It is probable that the council of archbish-
ops will be held in Baltimore early in the
summer. 1t seems that at present large
majority of the prelates are inclined to look
with favor on labor organizations now ex-
listing, but few are violently opposed to
them. Among these is the venerable Arch
bishop Fenwick, of st. Louis, the oldest
prelate in the hierarchy. He has pronounced
the Knights of Labor an unlawful body, and
has denounced their methods as bal Iarous
However, since most of the bishops do not
hold Fenwicks views, it is almost certain
the council will adopt the mild measures
mentioned above